The attorney for Harris Beach consulting firm that received a $50,000 fee has stated that Maplewood Manor was unable to support itself and that if it were to remain open we would have to see an increase of 20 percent in our taxes.

In their report, they listed the expenses, but failed to list the income that is received. Since when is a county entity supposed to support itself? We have an obligation to our poor and elderly and infirm. We have honored this obligation since our county was formed. Our county government has put six people in charge of changing this system -- Weight, Kinowski, Gratidge, and Raymond voted for the LLC. Two of the six, Yepsen and Southworth, voted against it.

I wonder how many know what an LLC is. Anyone 18 or older can open an LLC and it is not accountable to taxpayers. They can acquire public property without an appraisal or public hearing. They are exempt from public hearings, open meetings and Freedom of Information laws.

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Mr. Hellwig has stated that "The county will still have obligations to Maplewood Manor and continue to pay for its operations."

If this is the case, what is the need for an LLC? If 85 percent of the expense of the facility is wages and benefits of the 200 employees, what will become of them? A private enterprise is not going to absorb this cost.

Many employees have been there 15 to 30 years. I understand that those retiring after Dec. 31 will not be taking their health benefits with them. What about those who will not be 55 and not entitled to New York state retirement? I have heard there will be a mass retirement in December of employees 55 and older. I think employees with 10 years or more of service should be grandfathered in.

If our county is so in need of money, it could sell the unused dump (money pit) and stop pouring money and tax relief into GlobalFoundries. It could fill the beds in the infirmary instead of holding out for self-pay patients. Most people cannot afford $4,000 per month for their care.

Ten years ago, we had every bed full and a waiting list. Those applying for Medicaid had to list six other homes and take the first opening available wherever it might be. If we do have extra beds, other counties could rent them.

We as a country are selling off our assets. We are borrowing from other countries. We should start getting involved in our county and start taking care of what we still have -- in this case, our elderly and sick.

Marie A. Willard

Ballston Spa

Learn Maplewood Manor story

To the citizens of Saratoga County, my name is Dorothy Tyler and I am a longtime resident of Saratoga County. My mother, who has Alzheimer's disease, is currently living at Maplewood Manor. I am writing to you today to encourage you to learn about the story of Maplewood Manor, a county nursing home in Ballston Spa.

It is a valuable part of our community and seniors who live there are well cared for and loved by the outstanding staff. Our seniors deserve our respect, our care and our protection. It is our job as a community to provide the very best care for those who cannot provide it for themselves. If our county privatizes Maplewood Manor, we, as a community, will lose the ability to have a say in the quality of care our seniors receive.

What they and every member of Saratoga County deserve is the right to open communication with our county representatives about this care. They deserve to be a part of meetings and the decision-making processes.

I urge every member of Saratoga County to think about your future as a senior citizen. Think about your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and neighbors. Where will you go when you or a family member needs help? We have an awesome facility right here in Saratoga County. Isn't it worth reworking the budget, working with the community and providing for our seniors?

If you think it's worth it, write to your county and town officials; write to your community paper; call your local TV station and attend and speak at county board meetings. Make your voice heard!